Sunday morning dance flotsam

This Sunday May 1st, S.L.A.M. will take over Jaded. We grabbed a pre-apocalyptic 5 mins with local heroes, Ansome and Ossian…

Hi Ansome and Ossian! Thanks for letting us host the second invasion of S.L.A.M. at the South London techno temple that is Corsica Studios. Tell us about your ties to South London.

Ansome & Ossian – Thanks for having us, it’s a pleasure to return to Jaded. There have been so many great techno events at Corsica this year, it’s great to be involved and we hope each S.L.A.M. take over brings something new and is better than the last.

We met studying at London South Bank and both lived in Brixton so we’ve had the last 3 years here. It’s easy to spend a lot of time in Brixton, good food, skateparks, basketball courts, nice parks and it’s got a community vibe that a lot of places in London don’t have … and now thanks to the Container records a good record shop close by, go check it out if you’re in the area.

We’re all familiar with the inimitable sound of S.L.A.M., but it would be great to know more about its origins. How did you two come together working and forming the label? Can you name some of your strongest influences and inspirations?

Ansome – I started the label with Catch as we wanted to put out some heavy records that didn’t have at home at the time.

Ossian – Kieran is the one that got me listening to techno and I wanted to get involved in a label so I offered to help with S.L.A.M. just after the 1st release.

Ansome – As we studied at uni together and like similar music it was a logical choice and works very well and Catch ended up moving to Berlin. I’m also quite busy atm giging and being lazy so Ossian really keeps stuff running. So many influences it’s difficult to name drop but we just wanted to push the limits with the harder sound of techno and open up the idea of putting out some really crazy shit.

Ossian – Yea we are both pretty chilled and don’t take things too seriously so it’s a very straightforward dynamic, which is great most of the time except when you need to get shit done, but that is something we are getting better at (maybe).

From the start we both wanted to make sure that every aspect is as good as it can be, that the music standard never drops and that the look of label and the quality of the merch is always the best. So in terms of label inspirations anyone that has been doing that for a long time, techno or not, we have a lot of respect for. But we want to keep doing things our own way, we have loads of releases lined up now so very exited to see how the label grows.

Who makes the apocalyptic sleeve art?

Ansome – We basically just steal some really cool images and I’ll mess with them on photoshop. We let the artists choose what they want. It’s probably not okay to do this but as its vinyl only limited press it seems to not attract much attention, yet.

Ossian – Choose what they want to a certain degree, it’s definitely a collaboration between us an the artists, most of the time they get the aesthetics of the label but we have had a few funny ones we’ve had to say no to.

We’re pretty excited that you’ll finally be playing live on stage together at Jaded. Ossian, what’s the balance between what’s planned and improvised when you’re on stage?

Ossian – It’s all improvised, imagine a live improv jazz duo except not as cool, and neither of us can play an instrument. When we first started out we tried a few times to pre plan bits but it never works out happening like you plan it and you end being a bit disappointed. Also with gear constantly changing we just decide before the gig who is going to focus on what an we have the freedom to switch around during the performance, so we don’t practice the set together we just turn up and do it, for me it works out much better when your not thinking about how you should be doing it and let the unconscious do its thing. Some bits might be a bit pants but then when it all comes together it’s better, thats the fun about it being live and we have a similar philosophy to live performance so it works well.

Kieran, tell us a bit more about the live set you developed with DeFeKT after unexpectedly sharing his gear and the stage last time at Jaded?

Ansome – no idea how this happened but we just started playing together and it really works. But make such different music but perform in a similar style so it just seemed to click. Also both being solo performers it’s a breath of fresh air having some one to share the load. Allows for me time to get creative. So yeah the last Jaded I just returned from a 2 day bender in Budapest and found out my flat had been flooded, most of my gear was underwater apart from my drum machines in my waterproof Pelli case floating on the surface, defekt came to the rescue with his modular and we jammed it out together.

Ossian – ‘Breath of fresh air’ … haha really gay!

Final question – do you have a warning for the children of Jaded ahead of Sunday?

Ansome & Ossian – No warning as such but it’s shaping up to be a Jaded not to miss. Our pals PLS UK are going to be giving it some in room 2. Very exited to have Keepsakes this side of the equator so soon after the release, which is doing well so thanks for the support and Myler’s sets always do damage. Corsica Studios is going to get a good pounding and if the techno gets you horny remember to practice safe sex … preferably with a Perc Trax condom!

Thanks you two, see you for breakfast. Jaded children, brace yourselves!

Ansome and Ossian will play live and dj sets this Sunday alongside Myler and Keepsakes with almost the entire Pls.UK crew taking over room 2: Harbot, Hono, Anthro live, Danilo Incorvaia, Curled and Küetzal.

This Sunday marks the return of First Floor to Jaded. A mental first year has seen the Brighton collective bring the debuts of Palms Trax, Anthony Parasole, Ed Davenport, Tin Man, XDB, Ryan Elliott, Lakuti, ItaloJohnson and Reflec to an emerging scene centred around new art deco hotspot, Patterns. Ahead of their room 2 takeover at Corsica Studios, we asked founders James Dodd & Charles Green to select the tracks that define their sound.

Plastikman – Elektrostatik

A classic, yet often overlooked record released by Richie Hawtin on his own Plus 8 label in the early 90’s. One highlight of our August Freerotation special was XDB spinning this track just as the party was getting going, and the dancers responding with nothing but love.

Mark Flash – Dark Symphony

Another classic out of Detroit, this time from UR. A truly epic moment from our party with Ryan Elliot in October; him mixing this out of a Carl Craig remix of Rhythm and Sound, crowd going mental, can’t go wrong.

Rrose – The Stare

Simian Mobile Disco coming down on our 1st Birthday and laying down one of the hardest sets we’ve ever heard was fantastic, and this monster from Rrose on Stroboscopic Artefacts was a defining moment of the night.

Vril – CTO

Giegling is one of our favorite labels at the moment, everything they seem to touch turns to gold. While they put out their fair share of club orientated killers, its important to remember that it’s not always about the dance-floor, and this beautiful track from Vril is testament to their ability to release unbelievable music.

Cleric – Pattern One (Original Mix)

Cleric is a firm favourite of ours at First Floor, and generally there won’t be a set that goes by in which we don’t play at least one of his tracks. ‘Pattern One’ is a shining example of his ability to create dance floor destroying rollers with seemingly boundless energy using little more than a drum pattern and a synth with some effects.

Function – Untitled

There’s not much to be said about Function other than the fact that he is without a doubt one of the best techno producers of the past two decades. Whatever he does, weather its his solo production, or a collaborative effort with Regis as Sandwell District, is always top quality, and ‘Untitled’ is no exception to the rule. Catch him playing an extended set for us at Patterns in Brighton on Friday the 25th of March!

Tin Man – No New Violence

Tin Man performed one of the best live sets we have ever seen when he played for us along side Anthony Parasole and Ed Davenport last June, so we were more than happy to invite him back to perform live again, this time along side Simian Mobile Disco, for our birthday event in February. Ending his set with the captivating 303 line from ‘No New Violence’ is a moment we’re never going to forget.

First Floor will take over room 2 from 6am – 3pm this Sunday. You’ll find Sleeparchive playing live in room 1, backed by the forces of Rodriguez & Stanford. Get on the list and check out the full timetable here.

This Sunday, the Jaded children will be treated to label showcase of seismic power. We caught up with label co-owner Mino Murri to find out more about the rise of Pls.UK and the draw of living and creating techno in London…

Hi Mino! Thanks for taking time out to chat to us ahead of your Pls.UK invasion of Jaded this Sunday. Can you introduce the posse who will be taking over Corsica Studios room 2? in your own words, can you define the sound of the label?

First of all, thanks to you for inviting us to one of the best parties in London! The whole posse is coming –RVDE, Hono, Curdled, and Mistico. We have some great releases lined up this year so getting the chance to play all together is going to be something great! We have created a strong bond over the last few months and I am grateful for the music that brought us all together. Our sound is raw and aggressive –like a punch to the ears. Working with great people produces great artists. Our label embodies this completely.

Ansome and Ossian were the artists on PLS UK 001 and of course Ayarcana, Ontal and Ingen feature on 002. Is there a story behind the label’s inception you can share with us?

The reason for choosing artists like Ossian, Ayarcana, Ontal, and Ingen is, firstly, the energy they project into their tracks. When Alessio Sologno and I opened the label we had an idea of what kind of sounds we wanted to promote through the label. We both try to find the right synergy between the music which emerged from the 90’s rave sub-culture and the merciless pounding of pure techno. This is the music that we dance to today –whilst maintaining some distance from the Berlin techno, it’s as if we are bringing back the past and creating a new present all at the same time. We are living during an impressionable moment for techno and I hope that PLS.UK can make a lasting mark on the scene for generations to come.

How do you feel about the scene in the UK in general right now? What excites and inspires you about working in London?

For me, the UK scene is in its prime right now! This nation is finally taking over all the space and coverage it deserves. It’s just my point of view of course, but I think it’s impossible not to dance to any given track released here in this moment! My music along with PLS. UK releases are absolutely chaotic, and I think this is a reflection of the lifestyle in London. I always find myself rushing and pacing from one place to the next, so I like for the music to do the same thing. In this way, London can also be an inspiring place for making music! Everywhere that I go I hear or see something that makes me want to go back home and make a new track. I am also grateful to English people for understanding and supporting the effort put into my projects. I get treated like an artist here, but believe me where I come from everything is totally different. If you make music over there, it’s the equivalent to making nothing. It’s an unfortunate reality that some people view it this way, but I am only appreciative to be able to live this moment in a city that loves and supports the music!

This Sunday, you’re playing live as part of Harbot, tell us about what to expect from your set.

Yeah, Harbot will be myself and Alessio Sologno, co-owner of the label. As always, when we play as Harbot, we can only expect to demolish the place! We also hope that the crowd will reciprocate what we feel and enjoy what we do. So far Harbot has played just once in Milan for MX LAB and I can guarantee that the result was beyond what we expected!

What can we expect from Pls.UK 003?

003 will be an EP from Harbot that we’ve been working on for 1 year now. We also have some really interesting stuff in collaboration with guys like Ingen, Keepsakes, Anthro, and a few others who I won’t mention yet as I’d like to keep you guys on the edge of your seats. Believe me, it’s worth the anticipation!

Finally do you have a warning for the children of Jaded ahead of Sunday?

All I can really say is that it will be a mess! The walls might crack, floors could disintegrate, and you may probably forget who you are for a moment, but I hope in the end you’ll remember how thankful I am for anyone who makes it out this Saturday!

Thanks Mino, we’re looking forward to a proper breakfast dance off with you, Alessio and the crew!

Pls.UK are taking over Jaded’s room 2 from 6am this Sunday morning. Doors open at 5am, and you can read the full timetable for both rooms (Flug to headline room 1) and get on the cheap list here.

This Sunday at Jaded, we’re celebrating the latest release on Monnom Black with a morning of extended play from Dax J and Stranger. This will be the first time playing in the UK for Stranger, and we’re anticipating a 90s rave tinged daytime techno masterclass from our heroes! We caught up with the artist Dax has been seriously bigging up to find out more about his journey so far.

Hey Mitchel, thanks for taking time out to chat to us ahead of a busy weekend in Germany followed by your London debut! We wanted to ask you firstly about your label, Self Reflektion. Can you tell us about your motives in setting it up?

I’ve been really shy to send music out to other people, even when I first started making music back in early 2000’s. The first thing I did before I could even make a decent track was starting my own netlabel/trackergroup so that I wouldn’t have someone else deciding over my music. So having full control over the concept of the label is definitely been a motive for me to do things on my own.

At the time I started Self Reflektion, I definitely felt the urge to contribute my share to the local techno scene, and I still feel the same way. I definitely look up to people such as Bas Mooy or Speedy J who have been around for ages obviously and are still doing alot to make something out of the local scene, but I can mention names for two days straight of people I respect because they do something to make the music live around here. It was definitely a motive for me to start this label, I wanted either to be someone making a difference as well or to be a music lover, but nothing in between.

How did you discover your label mates?

Either I already knew them and asked for music or Soundcloud. I always liked to sit behind my computer browsing Discogs for hours just reading about artists and labels, and the same goes for discovering new music on Soundcloud; just by looking at users that share similar taste and seeing what they were reposting I found Herman Gonzalez and instantly fell in love with the track that became the A1 track on REFLEKT003. Same goes for Hiroaki Iizuka, who I knew from his past productions on Theory and several other labels. Remco Beekwilder I think also came along this way. It’s different for my partner from Paling Trax Lenson, who lives in Rotterdam as well. I met him during a concert of Jan Smit (for those who know)…

Mate Panic’s art for the label is glorious, how do you decide on the theme for each release?

I’m not really into visual art myself but when I first saw a work from him I was just overwhelmed. I’m really thankful im able to collaborate on the label artwork with such an extraordinary artist since the label started! The themes accidentally come to life most of the time, I think the techno sound I’m aiming at with the label just matches really well with his drawings. I think he’s just as much a part of the artists as the producers are.

You are celebrating the release of your Highest Sense EP with us at Jaded which Dax is putting out on Monnom Black. What’s it like to DJ and work together?

It’s going to be the first time DJ’ing together actually! Dax has really surprised me alot over the past year with his choice in records during his sets, but I was even more impressed with the productions he had been putting out on Monnom Black. We came to talk somewhere along the way, and it didn’t take long before we started working towards a stranger EP for his label. His patience and ongoing support means alot to me and I’m looking forward to working together much more this year! We both share similar taste in oldschool techno/jungle/rave vibes while playing completely different records during our sets. So I’m looking forward to see how we connect during a dj-set. With Jaded being the first night where we’ll be meeting up, I have invited him to Rotterdam in March where we will be playing together, solo, b2b on and off… Exciting stuff!

You’ve both just been announced for Awakenings and you played Gashouder on New Years Day. Can you tell us about the experience?

The Gashouder venue was a special place for me as a visitor, where I met some of my best friends and during my visits to the numerous Awakenings weekenders over the past few years. So it probably speaks for itself that i was nervous as hell… But it was an amazing experience. To play at Awakenings is something i would never have dreamed off, especially not this early in my career. For me they have proven more than ever that they still stand tall after all those years. Not just in their shows or production, but in supporting the local techno scene guiding young producers and providing a stage for debutants.

Your love of 90s Rave is reflected in your Warehouse Memoires EP, we understand you made the track whilst living in disused warehouse; tell us more about that period…

It was the most intense time I’ve experienced. At time of writing all of that stuff for my first release as well as writing the music for the release, I was definitely full of inspiration from all that I saw and heard while living there. And obviously I was enjoying all of the space I was able to use while living there. But just like my girlfriend felt earlier on already, in the end I started to feel more and more isolated being the only one living in the area. I worked day and night on music and with few people attempting to intrude my home, truck drivers sleeping in front of the house and illegal raves being held in warehouses like the one attached to my living space… I felt like I was slightly moving towards paranoia. When listening back to the tracks I made there I hear a huge difference between my euphoric moments (like when I did Picklehead) and moments of anxiousness (the original mix on Warehouse Memoires). And since I’ve started living in the ghetto streets of Southside Rotterdam, my sound has definitely developed to be ghetto booty-proof!

Finally we’re thrilled to be hosting your UK debut this Sunday. Do you have a warning for the children of Jaded..?

A warning? Yeah if you ever get the chance to live in an empty warehouse in Rotterdam make it quick and get the best out of it musically, hah! I’m looking forward alot to visit London for the first time and we’re going to make it a morning to remember. Thanks for having me and see you on Sunday.

Nice one Mitchel!

Dax J and Stranger will play Jaded this Sunday morning. Get on the list and check out the timetable here.

This Sunday 24th January, Jaded reopens for 2016 with the UK debut of 138, the duo behind TXTRL. Whilst their sound evokes the all presence and power of their LA heritage, it has a raw and energetic spirit all of its own. We caught up with Nathan and Billy to find out more…

Billy and Nathan, thanks for taking time out to chat to us ahead of your next European tour. The legend of you two first reached our Jaded ears following Katharsis and what was by all accounts a mind-bending party – can you tell us more about what went down – will you be returning this year? For your fans who’ll be hearing you play on UK soil for the first time, can you tell us the story of how you first started producing and performing together?

B: The way we met was actually through music; I was in a hardcore/punk band in high school and I was starting a sludge/grind band with my drummer. He told me he knew of a guitarist that liked all the same music as I did and that he wanted to jam with us. Our first band practice was the first time I met nathan. Months later we went to our first “rave” together and it began to escalate from there.

N: Katharsis was insanity, brilliant insanity. We had never played to such a big audience. Billy and I will be the only ones to know what really went down behind the scenes during our set at Katharsis… Besides the winter tour that’s just about underway, we may or may not be back overseas during the months of May/June… Yes, the way we met was through music. Raw, hard, fast, blaring music. And I guess you can say we’ve kept it like that, just in techno form. Although, we are now beginning to take a different approach to our music, or at least we are trying to.

How about the rest of the TXTRL crew, how has your label and movement developed since 2012? Tell us about your influences and inspirations.

N: Well, in 2012, it was only an idea. We hadn’t put out any music until 2014 with our first record/ep. TXTRL has always been about the DIY ethic. Our best friends, Josh Wilmarth and Kyle Galindo, are also behind the label’s vision. I believe we are all on the same page and have the same vision we want to present. Josh does all the visuals/videos, and Kyle helps with the artwork/visions and pushing the label’s aesthetic. Punk and simplicity will always be our main influences.

B: Well said. I think this label will always be our outlet not only to showcase our music but our ideas & moods in general; whether it is our own music or artist we can relate to. We dont see this label being tied down to one specific sound; it is about pushing our vision and having people feel the attitude behind the projects through the artwork and of course the music.When we met we were mainly listening to Hardcore/Punk music and its almost like we graduated and started fucking with more grind, 90’s crust punk and alot of the stoner shit simultanously – Dystopia, Converge, Sleep, and Electric Wizard. Its those sounds that made making distorted Techno somehwhat of a natural thing to us.

My obvious influences when it comes to Techno – Jeff Mills, Surgeon, Regis, Paul Birken, Rob Hood. Personally I am highly influenced by alot of early Chicago Ghetto House/Hard House stuff as well as Detroit Electro and Booty music. Music about smoking weed, big butts and all things provacative pretty much sums it up for me. One of my idols is David Bowie and I listen to Future on a daily basis.

You’ve been throwing some serious parties in your home city, could you describe the scene? Where should we head to find LA’s seedy underbelly..? Good bets for dancing, eating, record shopping and analogue gear?

B: I think we have a small, very tight knit scene; it’s a lot more condensed when compared to overseas. But in a way it is good. Droid Behaviour is definitely responsible for building somewhat of a mini techno empire here in Los Angeles, and more specifically the San Gabriel Valley. Since most parties here in LA have to be illegal you can be certain the Droids will deliver something special. As far as gear goes I think we both pretty much spend most our money at Analogue Haven. Record store – Mount Analogue. We live about 30 minutes from downtown LA in a town called Whittier – luckily most of my favorite food joints are pretty local. Four Bricks Restaurant, Azabu Sushi, Izakaya Honda-Ya, and when it comes to tacos I prefer to hit the dodgy cuts of Los Angeles.

N: I’ll agree with what Billy said, but I can tell you a thing or two about dancing. You can catch me at a small venue called Complex. That’s the spot when it comes to club nights. Droid Behaviour and some other techno crews throw some solid parties there. It’s in a city called Glendale, which is about 10-15 minutes from Downtown LA. They’ve got a great sound system there, Function One, and a great beer selection to compliment it.

Sounds like our kind of place. Finally, could you tell us what’s next for you guys and for TXTRL? Do you have a warning for the children of Jaded ahead of your set on 24th..?

N: We’ve wrapped up our 3 tracker EP for TXTRL and we are currently waiting on a remix from another duo, who are a couple of gentlemen. Warning? Naw, not at all. Come say hello, introduce yourself. Let’s be friends. But, most importantly, let’s dance and have fun.

B: Also look out for a few digital releases in the coming months. First up will be our mate Casper Hastings from Ireland w/ remixes by Nathan’s solo project and a smashing remix by Interferon.

Thanks Nathan and Billy, excellent warning!

138 will play a 2 hour live set for Jaded alongside Raymundo Rodriguez, Chris Stanford and The Subterrain crew (Ronin, Ainsley x Doppelate, Asuka, Cv4) this Sunday at Corsica Studios. Get your name on the guest list and check out the timetable here .

All eyes will be on Ayarcana this Sunday as he flies in to play his UK debut at Corsica Studios. Hailing from Italy, he’s been wowing crowds at home, in Paris, and we predict, imminently in London with his raw and brutal sound.

Hey Anthony! First let us say that the excitement for your UK debut is building, and that we’re very pleased this is happening at Jaded and on Corsica Studios sound system… X P N G N was posted in the Techno Scene group earlier this week; one of the comments from another of your very passionate supporters was “sometimes I feel he would like to kill some people with his music.” Can you give us an insight into the source of the angst that resonates so clearly in your tracks?

(Laugh) no I do not want to kill anybody, these days it’s not safe to say such things. However, I come from a different background from electronic music. I played and listened for many years in the bands post-hardcore / doom metal etc. So my approach to techno music could not be more different. Try to imagine a metalhead producing Tech-House.

Hmmm… It all becomes clear! Now let’s listen to this. Thanks for sharing your new track with us!

You’ve been working with PLS.UK crew and we hear that the guys are coming down to support you this Sunday. Tell us how that came about?

The guys from Pls.uk contacted me almost a year and a half ago to collaborate on a remix and on a release (which will come out really soon). I am very happy with the work we have done for my remix for Ansome both for the release coming out next months. Ah and also to meet them Sunday.

Can you give us a glimpse inside the techno scene in Rome? Where might we head to find Rome’s seedy underbelly?

There is too much individualism in Rome between the artists, or rather there are many artists who propose techno music, but there is no connection between them. I could open a very long debate…

Sunday will be your first time playing London, what have you got in store for the Jaded people?

Can’t wait, I have always loved the English people and how they react on the dancefloor! So I expect a lot from the crowd. I have a lot of new stuff to try!

Finally what’s next for you? When will you be releasing more of these devastating tracks?

I’ve two EPs signed for the beginning of 2016: both with great remixers inside. But I can’t tell you any more..!

Ritzi Lee makes his debut at Corsica Studios this Sunday. He’ll play a 3h set, backed up by the forces of Jaded residents Raymundo Rodriguez and Chris Stanford.

Ray grabbed 5 minutes with the Dutch techno master ahead of what promises to be a visceral journey through the deep and dark all sewn together with effects from his trusty 909…

We know you have had a lot of experience in making music, could you tell us at what stage or release did you start to feel really comfortable and confident in your production process, and what was the main thing that that cultivated the change i.e. hardware software or studio location etc ?

Hey Ray! I would say around 2008 was a real turning point for me when I had the idea that I found a real signature sound. This happened during producing my first EP for Ben Sims his Theory UK label. The way the tracks sound and where arranged kind of draws a big red line through all my compositions till now. I think using a real 909 in my techno music did pulled it to the next level. I’ve always tried to reach that type of sound with the most difficult sounds and situations, but with the 909 it all came together. From there on my studio slowly transformed from a 90% digital studio to a 80% analog situation now. The last 2 / 3 years really setted my trademark sound with releases on Theory, Belief System, Tortured records etc.

Your Underground Liberation label has been running since 2003, can you give us 3 standout moments that have given you the most satisfaction from all the hard work you have put into it?

Underground Liberaton started as an idea to put pure timeless techno sounds back on track in a situation where the market was 99% minimal music. I can say that after many years my wish came true. I can look back at a catalogue with masterpieces and collaborations with artists that I really respect and like.

Techno is a vast and varied beast, what in your opinion makes a good track, is it all about the production or just the vibe it creates on the floor or both?

There is no formula to define a good track really. I always look for the core or the soul of each track. And try to get the best out of it. Of course tension, suspense, something different is always welcome. And like any artform to create something that is never created before, that is the challenge.

How about the Techno scene in general in the Netherlands and globally, what do you think of the direction it’s heading in? Do you still feel the excitement you felt when you first started?

In general I think the techno scene is getting better. Anyway better then 3 years ago. At the same time I have a feeling some people are focussing to much in a negative way to other (EDM) scene’s. Better spend your energy making good music and playing good gigs every time when you have the chance. In the end people really just want to get lost in the sound. We as techno artists have a big responsibility. It as always like that and it will stay like that. Like next sunday. I will start with an empty mind and let me guide myself with the vibe of the party. 🙂

And finally what is coming up for you, releases, projects, gigs etc?

I’m having material coming up on Tommy Four Seven his new 47 label. I’m working on an EP for Klockworks. And there are 2 more high profile labels where I planned something for this year where I still am not allowed to announce the labels yet.

Thanks Ritzi… Catch him this Sunday at Jaded at Corsica Studios. His set time is 0930-12:30.